Over the past decades, laptops have steadily evolved. They have come from dual core CPUs to 10th generation high-speed processors. Apart from more powerful processors and internal parts, laptops also come with improved usability. One of the most noticeable improvements has been the introduction of backlit keyboards. This feature vastly improves the ease of use: you can now type, code, and do other keyboard-related stuff in the dark. Several models on the market now come with this feature, and in this post, we will review the 10 best laptops with backlit keyboard on the market today.
Choosing a laptop with backlit keyboard entails considering how well it works in dark environments, the accuracy of typing and the appearance. We will discuss these and more features in this post. Now, let’s see the top laptops with lit-up keyboard on the market.
Review of Best Laptops with Backlit Keyboard
1. Dell XPS 13 9300 – Best Dell Laptop with Backlit Keyboard
The Dell XPS 13 9300 is a top option for anyone looking for an excellent laptop from Dell. This beautiful laptop is one of the most visually pleasing options on this roundup, with its awesome screen and bezel-less construction.
It comes with a 13” screen that ensures that you enjoy an easy and comfortable using experience.
The laptop is constructed of durable and high quality materials that ensure that it lasts for a long time. The portable and lightweight nature makes it an excellent unit for anyone who is often on the move.
Internally, it is powered by a 10th generation Intel Core i7 processor. It also features 1 TB SSD, which is simply stunning. You have more than enough space to keep your files, movies, games and more. For speed, it is powered by a 32 GB DDR4 RAM. Therefore, you can be sure of fast booting times and overall lighting performance.
The backlit keyboard is why it is on this list, and you will find it difficult to find a Dell laptop that combines all these features seamlessly. Due to the bright backlit keyboard, you can work in the dark. The brightness can be adjusted as well to suit your needs.
Pros
- Stunning design
- Fast performance
- Incredible screen
- Great battery life
Cons
- Middling speakers
- Low number of ports
2. Apple MacBook Pro – Best Apple Laptop with Backlit Keyboard
Apple is renowned for the premium build and attractive design of its laptops and products, and the MacBook Pro is arguably the most impressive product from the manufacturer. It takes many of the flaws that plagued earlier versions, smoothing them away to deliver a nearly flawless computer that will stand whatever you throw at it.
The laptop features Magic keyboard, Touch Bar and ID, and importantly, a backlit keyboard. All these features combine to form a supremely comfortable and easy to use laptop.
The display on the screen is one of the best you will ever come across in 2020. This screen is gorgeous and is further improved by the True Tone technology. Watching your favorite movies, writing code, or reading on this laptop is a wonderful experience.
Made with high quality materials, this sleek and elegant unit is one of the best-looking options on the market.
Apart from the design, the hardware makes this unit a powerhouse. It features the newest 10th Gen Intel Core processors. Hence, it is faster and more powerful than all other predecessors. The MacBook Pro also comes with 1 TB SSD and is paired with 32GB RAM. Interestingly, you can still boost the storage up to 4 TB!
Overall, the MacBook Pro is arguably the best laptop with illuminated keyboard you can find right now.
Pros
- Powerful processor
- Plenty of storage space
- Beautiful construction
- Sleek performance
Cons
- Expensive
3. Dell XPS 15 7590 – Best 15” Laptop with Backlit Keyboard
If you loved the 13” Dell earlier reviewed in this post but were put off by the 13” size, then you’ll likely fall in love with the 7590. It comes with several features that are similar to that of the 13” Dell. However, one main difference is the screen size. If you seek the best 15” laptop with glowing keyboard, then look no further than this unit.
With an amazing backlit keyboard, you can see and work on your laptop regardless of the ambience of your location. The 15.6” display is impressive and looks as great as that on the most expensive laptops. As a high-end unit, it isn’t surprising that the screen is touch-sensitive.
Considering the relatively low price, the touch display found here is quite impressive. It is an OLED screen that delivers vivid, bright images that are easy on the eyes and make working more enjoyable.
Apart from the beautiful and functional screen, the unit is powered by a 9th Gen Core i9 processor. Therefore, you get more processing power with this laptop than with even slightly more expensive models.
Keeping with the recent trend, this unit is lightweight. Thus, you can carry the laptop around with you and work from anywhere.
As with the other options reviewed so far, the laptop comes with 1 TB of storage and up to 32 GB of RAM. Therefore, the unit handles almost any task that you throw at it.
Pros
- Beautiful OLED display
- Impressive build quality
- Powerful performance
Cons
- Poor speakers
- Keyboard travel is strenuous
4. Microsoft Surface Book 3 – Best 2-in1 Laptop with Backlit Keyboard
If you are a writer or a creative, you need a lightweight laptop. That way, you can carry the laptop with you wherever you go. You can, therefore, write wherever the inspiration hits you. Furthermore, since the laptop has a backlit keyboard, you can use it regardless of the light condition of your environment.
The ultra-thin design means you can throw the unit into your backpack and carry around easily.
The screen is a gorgeous display that ensures that you don’t have to squint to see what is going on. You can get the laptop in either 13.5” or 15” sizes. Regardless of your choice, you’ll love the convenience of use. Furthermore, each model comes with PixelSense display that releases stunning colors.
This laptop might not look like a powerful option, but the Intel Core i7 processor gives enough processing power to handle your tasks.
The 2 TB SSD and 32 GB RAM means you have enough speed and space for your desired software.
Another reason why this model is so highly rated is the battery life. One charge can last for up to 15 hours. This beats almost every other laptop on the market right now. Couple this with the ability to transform the laptop into a tablet, you get the best 2-in-1 laptop with backlit keyboard on the market today.
Pros
- Incredible battery
- Lightweight and thin design
- Powerful processor
- Versatile
Cons
- Expensive
5. Acer Aspire 5 – Budget Laptop with Backlit Keyboard
If you are on a budget, then you’d likely appreciate getting a laptop that still delivers more than decent performance at a low price. Well, the Acer Aspire 5 might be the answer to your wish.
The Acer Aspire 5 comes with, among other frankly surprising features, a backlit keyboard. It is bright enough to be seen even in low-light conditions.
While others on this list, at least those reviewed so far come with an Intel processor, Aspire 5 is powered by an AMD Ryzen Dual-core processor. While this is a deviation from what is common on this roundup, we found that the processor is still powerful enough to handle different tasks.
Furthermore, this unique processor is boosted by an AMD Vega 3 graphics chip. Therefore, you will enjoy great performance even surpassing what you’d expect to get at this price.
As a 15.6” model, there is enough screen estate for you to carry out tasks easily. Additionally, the screen is an LED IPS display. Therefore, you get clear, vivid display and resolution. The pixel count (1920 x 1080) is just right and falls in the standard rating for laptops.
The 128 GB SSD is relatively low in terms of size, but the speed conferred makes up for the low storage space. To boost speeds, this model comes with 4 GB of RAM.
Overall, if you need a cheap alternative to expensive models with backlit keyboards, then you’d likely love this model.
Pros
- Cheap
- HD screen
- Improved usability
Cons
- Low storage option
- Just 4GB RAM
6. LG GRAM 15 – Best Lightweight laptop with Backlit Keyboard
For mobile users, the LG Gram 15’s lightweight build is an excellent feature. Therefore, business people and college students are the most avid users of this unit.
LG is a popular brand, although it isn’t very popular among laptops. Therefore, you might be somewhat sceptical about the performance and overall usage of this unit. However, we are happy to recommend the model as one of the best laptops with backlit keyboard you can buy.
First of all, performance is quite powerful on this laptop. The unit features a powerful processor: 10th Generation Core i7 Intel processor. Couple this with the 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB SSD and you have a powerhouse on your hands.
The 15.6” HD LCD screen is sufficient as you watch movies, type, or code on the laptop.
We love the overall design of this unit, including the wonderful keyboard with its backlit feature.
Offering users up to 15 hours of runtime on a single charge, you will likely love your experience using this particular model.
Pros
- Lightweight
- IPS LCD screen
- Impressive battery life
- Powerful processor
Cons
- Expensive
7. HP Envy 13 – Best HP Laptop with Backlit Keyboard
HP is one of the most popular manufacturers of laptops on the market right now. Hence, we aren’t surprised to find one of the company’s models on this roundup. The Envy line is full of models that look incredible, and the Envy 13 is the most attractive in the Envy line.
The unit comes with a beautiful, portable design that makes it a handy companion for everyone. The Envy 13 weighs about 2.8 pounds and is one of the slimmest units from HP. Therefore, you can carry it around with you wherever you go.
The screen is one of the most stunning we have come across. Envy 13 features 4K high resolution screen. This screen is also touchscreen. Thus, you will find it easy to use.
Internally, the unit has an Intel Core i7 processor, 16 GB of RAM and 512 SSD storage. All these features combine to give a powerful unit that handles most tasks with ease.
The focus of this post is backlit keyboards, and we are delighted to say that the keyboard found on this laptop features one of the brightest and customizable backlit displays. You will find it very handy in low-light conditions. Additionally, the backlit keyboard adds beauty to an already stunning machine.
Pros
- Stunning design
- Powerful hardware
- Beautiful backlit keyboard
- Feature-rich machine
- Portable and lightweight
Cons
- Relatively poor battery
8. HP Spectre x360 (2019) – Best Designed Laptop with Backlit Keyboard
If you thought the Envy or MacBook reviewed above look beautiful, wait till you see the HP Spectre x360. HP’s Spectre line has always had some of the most visually appealing models on the market, and the 2019 x360 model, at least for now, wears the crown of the most visually appealing model so far.
This unit features an ultra-slim, gem cut chassis that looks better than any other laptop you might have handled.
It isn’t all looks, though, as this sleek machine features HP Whiskey Lake processor to handle basic to highly demanding tasks.
This unit features well-designed ports that allow you to connect several devices at a go.
The display is one of the best things about this laptop. You can choose either a 1080p or 4K OLED resolution. Nevertheless, either resolution is better than what is found on several competitors.
With 8 GB of RAM and over 13 hours of battery life, you get a laptop that is fast and durable.
The keyboard is one of the best for writers and similar creatives. The Chiclet-design makes it so easy to type. Additionally, the backlit feature means you can type whenever you like.
If you can afford it, this is certainly a laptop you should strongly consider buying.
Pros
- Gorgeous chassis and design
- Easy to type keyboard
- Long-lasting battery
- Beautiful screen
- Fast performance
Cons
- It runs warm
- Plenty of HP Bloatware
9. HP ENVY 17 – Best 17” Laptop with Illuminated Keyboard
Sometimes, you just want a large-sized screen, and that is what you get with the 17” HP Envy 17.
This large laptop doesn’t come cheap, but it justifies the price tag. The machine offers you fast, powerful, performance, which isn’t very surprising considering its specs. You will find that the model features a 10th generation Intel Core i7 processor that lends plenty of computing power. To handle heavier tasks like graphics, the laptop has a dedicated Nvidia GeForce MX250 GPU. Therefore, you can throw as many tasks at the machine without any hitch. Additionally, the 12 GB RAM gives even more juice to power your tasks.
As earlier pointed out, the model features a 17” screen. The FHD IPS-type screen is multi-touch enabled. Hence, the machine not only delivers crisp, clear images but also ensures ease of use.
While the 128 GB SSD storage is admittedly low, the good news is that you can expand it up to 1 TB HDD.
Pros
- Large, bright screen
- Secure
- Touch-screen
- Powerful processor
Cons
- Bulky
- Average battery
10. MSI GL62M – Best Gaming Laptop with Backlit Keyboard
The last pick on this roundup is a laptop dedicated to gamers. Gamers especially need backlit keyboards as this feature can mean the difference between defeat and victory.
The MSI GL62M is a gaming laptop that comes with specifications that make it one of the most powerful units on this list. The laptop has 128 GB SSD, which might not be the largest on this roundup, but supplements this with a 1TB HDD. Therefore, you get more than enough space to store your games.
The Quad-Core i7 processor is fast and powerful in equal measure.
Furthermore, this gaming laptop can be linked with up to 3 monitors and deliver a seamless gaming experience.
While it is somewhat heavy (5.29 pounds), it delivers up to 7 hours of gameplay. Therefore, you can risk carrying it around with you without plenty of discomforts.
Pros
- Excellent for gaming
- Decent battery life
- Backlit display
Cons
- Expensive
- Relatively heavy
Buying Guide to the best laptop with backlit keyboard
Looking for the best laptop with backlit keyboard can be a daunting task. We have reviewed ten of the best models on the market right now, which can help in narrowing your list. Nevertheless, you might not be satisfied with the options above. That is why we have created this buying guide. There are features to consider, and we will look at each of these features in this section.
First, let’s see who should buy this type of laptop.
Best Activities for Backlit Keyboard Laptops
While many folks are interested in buying a laptop with a backlit keyboard because of the aesthetics, some people would find it truly useful.
- Gamers
If you are an avid gamer, you cannot do without having a backlit keyboard. The best gaming laptops on the market come with backlit keyboards. In fact, the lights from these types of laptops are different from those found on the average backlit keyboard.
They come with RGB lighting. This adds a more ‘gamified’ appearance to the laptop and also ensures that controls appear in separate, vivid colors.
- Coders
Coders and computer geeks tend to work at odd hours to meet deadlines. Therefore, a laptop with backlit keyboard allows them to work whenever it is required.
- Creative professionals
If you are a writer or artist, the urge to create can strike at odd times. A laptop with backlit feature allows you to type and use your laptop at anytime and anywhere.
Features to consider when choosing best backlit keyboard laptop
1. Processor
Choosing a processor can be a challenge. There are so many options, including the processor version, the number of cores, threads, speeds, generation, and so on.
However, when choosing based on this factor, the most important parameters to consider are the version and generation. This is especially important when you are going to be doing plenty of intensive tasks.
Another important parameter is the processor speed.
The least speed that you should consider is 3.7 GHZ (for intensive software)—the higher the speed, the better the performance of the laptop.
2. Type of Laptop
While laptops with backlit keyboards are now somewhat common on the market, they are still not often found on entry-level or budget laptops.
Most of the options that we reviewed above are gaming, 2-in-1, and premium laptops.
Therefore, before you take the plunge, determine if you would really need a backlit keyboard in your laptop.
3. Adjustable Lighting
When you first buy your laptop with backlit keyboard, you might find it enthralling. However, as the weeks go by, you start to resent that ever constant light emanating from the keyboard. You can solve this irritation if the laptop comes with an adjustable backlight.
This feature allows you to automatically or manually adjust the brightness of the light.
Some models even let you customize the color of the light from certain keys.
4. Design of your keyboard
Most of the best laptops with backlit keyboards usually come with beautifully designed keyboards as well.
Some of the parameters to consider in this regard include the travel distance, vertical distance, the spacing of the keys, and more.
Overall, go for a keyboard that makes it fast and easy to type.
Benefits of a Backlit Keyboard Laptop
- The biggest benefit of having a laptop with backlit keyboard is the ease of use. Due to this feature, you can use your laptop in the dark.
- Another benefit is that they come in very handy when traveling or commuting.
- These types of keyboards are also very useful while you are typing as they can help you type faster and more accurately.
FAQ
- Who should buy a backlit keyboard laptop?
You should consider buying a laptop with backlit keyboard if you are a gamer, coder or creative professional. This set of people will especially find the backlit keyboard super useful.
- Are laptops with backlit keyboard expensive?
Well, the truth is a laptop with a backlit keyboard is often more expensive than one without. These laptops often require more components, for example, LED lights. This, in turn, makes them more expensive to produce.
- What types of laptops come with backlit keyboards?
Premium laptops, gaming laptops, and ultra-books, more often than not, come with backlit keyboards.
Conclusion
While it can be a hassle choosing the best laptops with backlit keyboard, we hope that this post will help you choose wisely. Review the options reviewed above and look for a model that suits your needs. We are sure that you will have a great time using any of the machines recommended.